Alfred Bailey Eades was born at Essendon, Victoria in 1895 to parents Arthur and Louisa. Prior to the First World War, he served for two years with the 25th Battery of the 8th Field Artillery Brigade, Citizen Military Forces where he attained the rank of sergeant in 1914. A clerk by trade, he enlisted in Melbourne on 7 May 1915 at the age of 20. On 10 August 1915, he departed Melbourne aboard RMS Persia with the 2 Field Artillery Brigade and the rank of gunner. Eade's cousin, General Sir Cyril Brudenall Bingham White also served during the First World War.

After landing at Gallipoli on 13 October 1915, Eades was transferred to the 2nd Brigade Ammunition Column and remained on the peninsula until the evacuation in December. In February 1916, he was transferred to the 4th Division Artillery and in March 1916 he was again transferred to the 12th Field Artillery Brigade.. Eades was promoted through the ranks to second lieutenant in June 1916 and lieutenant in February 1917. He died on 12 November 1918 at the 3rd London General Hospital due to complications from influenza at the age of 23. Alfred Eades is buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery, United Kingdom.

Collection Items

Photograph

Informal portrait of a group of unidentified West Australian soldiers taken at Anzac in November 1915. This photograph was sent to his family by 4642 Gunner (Gnr) Alfred Bailey Eades, 2nd Field Artillery Brigade. A clerk from Ivanhoe, Vic prior to enlistment, Gnr Eades embarked with his brother...

P10427.022

Private Record

Collection relating to service of Lieutenant Alfred Bailey Eades, 45 Battery, 12 Army Field Artillery, Gallipoli and France, 1915-1917. Collection includes letters sent home to family in Melbourne. Maker: Eades, Alfred Bailey

1DRL/0249 (With records)

Digitised Collection

Letters relating to the First World War service of Lieutenant Alfred Bailey Eades, 45th Battery, 12th Army Field Artillery. The letters were written by Alfred Eades to his family between 25 August 1915 to 26 July 1917. In the letters Alfred Eades describes his time at sea, training in Egypt, the...